5 dead in Ivory Coast military helicopter crash

KIGALI, Rwanda

Ivory Coast's Defense Ministry said Friday that all five people aboard a military helicopter on a reconnaissance mission that went missing on its northern border died in a crash.

The MI 24 attack helicopter was located 2 kilometers (1 mile) north of Togolokaye, the ministry said in a statement.

“All five occupants perished in the accident, and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.”

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces conveyed his condolences to the families and assured them of the ministry’s support.

The helicopter lost all contact with the control station around 2 a.m. in the vicinity of Ferkessedougou, the ministry said in an earlier statement.

The army has been battling armed militants in the north.